ABSTRACT
IntroductionAfter emerging the global pandemic of SARS-CoV2 some preliminary studies demonstrated the efficacy of antiviral treatments. But shortly thereafter, inconsistencies in the results of further clinical trials raised doubts on the efficacy of these agents. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of Remdesivir on hospitalized COVID-19 patients outcomes. Material and methodsThis study was an open-label, single-armed, clinical trial on hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who had progressive respiratory symptoms despite receiving standard care. All patients received Remdesivir and their characteristics, outcomes, time of treatment initiation, and respiratory support stages during hospitalization were registered and followed up for 14 days. Results145 patients with the mean age of 52.89 {+/-} 1.12 years enrolled in this study, 38 (26.2%) died at the end of 14 days period. The mean time interval from the onset of the symptoms to antiviral treatment was 10.63{+/-}0.56 days. Thirty deceased patients (78.9%) were men, showing 2.8 times higher mortality chance compared to women (ORadj=2.77; 95%CI=1.08-7.09). The type of respiratory support on the first day of treatment initiation showed a significantly lower mortality chance in patients receiving O2 only than those who needed non-invasive and/or mechanical ventilation (ORadj=3.91; 95%CI=1.64-9.32). The start time (early vs late administration) and duration (less or more than 7 days) of antiviral treatment had no statistically significant association with mortality or ventilation escalation among the patients (p-value > 0.05). ConclusionIn this study, we showed that Remdesivir probably is not effective on the outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
To discuss the advantages and limitations of hair follicle-derived cell transplantation (FCT) in vitiligo, compared to the epidermal cell transplantation (ECT), and the knowledge gap which is required to be bridged. The papers relevant to the purpose was reviewed. Surgical approaches for treating vitiligo are based on the idea of replenishing lost melanocytes.Skin and hair follicles as the main sources of melanocytes have been applied for this purpose transferring the whole tissue or tissue-derived cell suspension to the vitiligo lesions. Considering the differences between hair follicle and epidermis in terms of the constituting cell populations, phenotype and function of melanocytes, and micro-environmental factors, different response of vitiligo patients to treatment with FCT or ECT would be expected theoretically. However, there is currently a lack of evidence on such a difference. However, ECT appears to be a more feasible, less time-consuming, and more comfortable treatment for both physicians and patients. Although the current evidence has not shown a significant difference between ECT and FCT in terms of efficacy, ECT appears to be more feasible specifically in the treatment of large lesions. However, further randomized controlled clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up durations are required to be conducted to draw a definite conclusion on comparing FCT with ECT in terms of the safety, efficacy, durability of the therapeutic effects, and indications in vitiligo patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Hair loss is a prevalent medical problem in both men and women. Maintaining the potential hair inductivityof dermal papilla cells (DPCs) during cell culture is the main factor in hair follicle morphogenesis and regeneration. Thepresent study was conducted to compare the effects of different concentrations of human hair outer root sheath cell(HHORSC)and platelet lysis (PL) exosomes to maintain hair inductivity of the human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). @*METHODS@#In this study, hDPCs and HHORSCswere isolated from healthy hair samples. Specific markers of hDPCs (versican,a-SMA) and HHORSCs (K15) were evaluated using flow cytometric and immunocytochemical techniques. The exosomes wereisolated fromHHORSCsand PL with ultracentrifugation technique.Western blot was used to detect specific markers of HHORSCsand PL exosomes. Particle size and distribution of the exosomes were analyzed by NanoSight dynamic light NanoSight DynamicLight Scattering. Different methods such as proliferation test (MTS assay), migration test (Transwell assay) were used to evaluatethe effects of different concentrations of exosomes (2,550,100 lg/ml) derived from HHORSC and PL on hDPCs. Expression ofspecific genes in the hair follicle inductivity, including ALP, versican and a-SMA were also evaluated using real time-PCR. @*RESULTS@#The flow cytometry of the specific cytoplasmic markers of the hDPCs and HHORSCs showed expression ofversican (77%), a-SMA (55.2%) and K15 (73.2%). The result of particle size and distribution of the exosomes wereanalyzed by NanoSight dynamic light NanoSight Dynamic Light Scattering, which revealed the majority of HHORSC andPL exosomes were 30–150 nm. For 100 lg/ml of HHORSC exosomes, the expressions of ALP, versican and a-SMAproteins respectively increased by a factor of 2.1, 1.7and 1.3 compared to those in the control group. @*CONCLUSION@#In summary, we applied HHORSC exosomes as a new method to support hair inductivity of dermalpapilla cells and improve the outcome for the treatment of hair loss.
ABSTRACT
To discuss the advantages and limitations of hair follicle-derived cell transplantation (FCT) in vitiligo, compared to the epidermal cell transplantation (ECT), and the knowledge gap which is required to be bridged. The papers relevant to the purpose was reviewed. Surgical approaches for treating vitiligo are based on the idea of replenishing lost melanocytes.Skin and hair follicles as the main sources of melanocytes have been applied for this purpose transferring the whole tissue or tissue-derived cell suspension to the vitiligo lesions. Considering the differences between hair follicle and epidermis in terms of the constituting cell populations, phenotype and function of melanocytes, and micro-environmental factors, different response of vitiligo patients to treatment with FCT or ECT would be expected theoretically. However, there is currently a lack of evidence on such a difference. However, ECT appears to be a more feasible, less time-consuming, and more comfortable treatment for both physicians and patients. Although the current evidence has not shown a significant difference between ECT and FCT in terms of efficacy, ECT appears to be more feasible specifically in the treatment of large lesions. However, further randomized controlled clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up durations are required to be conducted to draw a definite conclusion on comparing FCT with ECT in terms of the safety, efficacy, durability of the therapeutic effects, and indications in vitiligo patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Hair loss is a prevalent medical problem in both men and women. Maintaining the potential hair inductivityof dermal papilla cells (DPCs) during cell culture is the main factor in hair follicle morphogenesis and regeneration. Thepresent study was conducted to compare the effects of different concentrations of human hair outer root sheath cell(HHORSC)and platelet lysis (PL) exosomes to maintain hair inductivity of the human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). @*METHODS@#In this study, hDPCs and HHORSCswere isolated from healthy hair samples. Specific markers of hDPCs (versican,a-SMA) and HHORSCs (K15) were evaluated using flow cytometric and immunocytochemical techniques. The exosomes wereisolated fromHHORSCsand PL with ultracentrifugation technique.Western blot was used to detect specific markers of HHORSCsand PL exosomes. Particle size and distribution of the exosomes were analyzed by NanoSight dynamic light NanoSight DynamicLight Scattering. Different methods such as proliferation test (MTS assay), migration test (Transwell assay) were used to evaluatethe effects of different concentrations of exosomes (2,550,100 lg/ml) derived from HHORSC and PL on hDPCs. Expression ofspecific genes in the hair follicle inductivity, including ALP, versican and a-SMA were also evaluated using real time-PCR. @*RESULTS@#The flow cytometry of the specific cytoplasmic markers of the hDPCs and HHORSCs showed expression ofversican (77%), a-SMA (55.2%) and K15 (73.2%). The result of particle size and distribution of the exosomes wereanalyzed by NanoSight dynamic light NanoSight Dynamic Light Scattering, which revealed the majority of HHORSC andPL exosomes were 30–150 nm. For 100 lg/ml of HHORSC exosomes, the expressions of ALP, versican and a-SMAproteins respectively increased by a factor of 2.1, 1.7and 1.3 compared to those in the control group. @*CONCLUSION@#In summary, we applied HHORSC exosomes as a new method to support hair inductivity of dermalpapilla cells and improve the outcome for the treatment of hair loss.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Environmental factors affect stem cell differentiation. In addition to chemical factors, mechanical signals have been suggested to enhance myogenic differentiation of stem cells. Therefore, this study was undertaken to illustrate and compare the effect of chemical and mechanical stimuli on Myogenin (MyoG) and Myosin heavy chani 2 (Myh2) expression of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). METHODS: After isolation and expansion of BMSCs and generation of embryoid bodies and spontaneous differentiation of ESCs, cells were examined in 4 groups: (1) control group: untreated cells; (2) chemical group: cells incubated in myogenic medium (5-azacythidine and horse serum for BMSCs, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and horse serum for ESCs) for 5 days; (3) mechanical group: cells exposed to uniaxial cyclic strain (8%, 1 Hz, 24 h) and (4) chemical + mechanical group: cells incubated in myogenic medium for 4 days and then exposed to uniaxial cyclic strain. Real-time PCR was used to examine the expression of MyoG and Myh2 as specific myogenic markers. RESULTS: suggested that mechanical loading, as a single factor, could elevate MyoG and Myh2 expression. Combining chemical with mechanical factor increases expression and there was no significant difference in MyoG expression of ESCs- and MSCs-chemical + mechanical groups; however, Myh2 expression was significantly higher in ESCs-mechanical group than that in the same group of MSCs.
